Key Takeaways
- Built confidence and leadership capacity: Through her studies in social work and clinical psychology, Wida Saber gained the foundation, skills, and confidence to lead and sustain her nonprofit, turning her vision into a growing organization that now serves hundreds of girls.
- Found mentorship and a strong sense of belonging: Programs like INTO Mason and the Afghan Scholar Support Program, along with faculty mentors, helped her feel supported in a new country and shaped her personal growth into a purposeful, compassionate leader.
- Developed a systems-focused, service-driven mindset: Saber's academic and hands-on experiences emphasized social justice, advocacy, and real-world practice—equipping her to navigate complex systems and serve vulnerable communities effectively.
Wida Saber came to George Mason with a deeply personal understanding of what it means to be denied an education. Through her time in the College of Public Health earning a master’s in social work, she found the support, mentorship, and confidence to launch a nonprofit now educating hundreds of Afghan girls.
In your time at George Mason, you’ve been building your nonprofit, Rumi Legacy Schools. How did that work begin?
I was born in Afghanistan, and my early life was shaped by conflict and restricted access to education. During the first Taliban regime, girls were not allowed to attend school, so my parents created a secret home school for nearly 900 girls, including me. At that time, education was not just learning; it was resistance, hope, and survival.
I was finally able to start formal schooling after 9/11. But in August 2021, secondary schools were once again closed for girls in Afghanistan, and that pushed me to start Rumi Legacy Schools. We started with 58 students in 2022, and today we educate more than 400 girls in grades 7 through 12. Last year we graduated 34 students and four received full scholarships to university.
How has your experience at George Mason affected the way you approach this work?
George Mason has been deeply meaningful to me. I started here in 2022 with INTO Mason, and joined the Afghan Scholar Support Program, which gave me my first real sense of belonging in the United States. I earned my master’s in clinical psychology first before pursuing social work, which helped broaden my perspective by emphasizing the importance of social justice, advocacy, and addressing the systems that shape people’s lives.
The Social Work Department gave me the foundation and confidence to lead my nonprofit and make its mission sustainable. I also got support from the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which helped strengthen the structure and vision of my organization.
George Mason not only educated me, it also shaped who I am today. My mentors helped me grow into someone who can navigate complex systems, lead with purpose, and serve vulnerable communities with confidence and compassion.
You've also been working on the clinical side of social work. What has that experience been like?
The College of Public Health opened the door for me to work with the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, which gave me hands-on experience in real-world social service systems.
Now, with my practicum at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, I support veterans through mental health and social services, including psychosocial assessments and treatment planning. This experience of creating a therapeutic environment and providing care has strengthened my clinical skills, deepened my sense of purpose, and reinforced my commitment to serving those who have sacrificed so much.
Your work has also taken you to the United Nations. What did that experience mean to you?
From my students at Rumi, I carried handwritten letters, messages, and photos. They’re the lived voices of girls asking for their right to learn. I shared their stories directly to ensure they were seen and heard.
There are moments like this when I’ve realized that even when systems are unjust, my role is to still show up, speak, and act.
What are your future career goals?
I plan to continue my nonprofit and advocacy work as well as my academic journey toward a PhD in clinical psychology.
At the heart of everything I do is this belief: when you are given a role, you must fully step into it, even when it is difficult. Because even in hardship, that role can become meaningful and transformative.